24.

This book is entirely a product of my imagination. Please do not copy my work, or I will take strict action.

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Aaradhya's POV

I want to cry my heart out. I’m sitting in class but my entire focus is on Aarav ji. It feels like it would be better if someone just shot me than let me feel this pain. In these two months, he’s become my everything.

But I think I mean nothing to him. I saw his messages. If he doesn’t like me, then why is he behaving like he cares for me? Can’t he just stay away from me? He’s making me feel things I can’t even describe in words.

“Aaradhya are you okay?” Kia whispers and I shake my head, putting my head down on the bench. She starts patting my head lightly, her touch so comforting. She’s a pure angel.

“What happened? Tell me na. I’m here for you” she says the moment we step out of class. That’s it I can’t take it anymore. Tears start falling slowly and I cry.

“Aaradhya…” she murmurs softly pulling me to a secluded area. She hugs me tightly and I cry on her shoulder letting all my emotions flow out.

“Just tell me who did this to you” she asks, her voice full of concern. I lift my teary eyes and look at her, my face hot and red from crying.

“Actually… I love him and I think he loves me too but his words make me feel like he doesn’t” I say slowly looking down. She wipes my tears gently and makes me look at her.

“Do his actions show that he loves you?” she asks her eyes full of curiosity. I think about all the little things he’s done for me and nod my head slowly.

“Then there’s no point in crying. Actions speak louder than words. Maybe he said whatever he did for some reason. Have you both told each other about your feelings?” she asks and I realize she’s right.

“No we haven’t confessed yet” I admit feeling foolish. She smacks me lightly on the head.

“Then do it, dumbo! He might think you don’t love him, which is why he said what he said” she says making so much sense.

I remember when he apologized for touching me maybe he thought I didn’t like it. That means he was never wrong. I was the one complicating everything. How could I have made such a big mistake?

“What are you thinking now?” Kia asks and I hug her tightly.

“Thank you so much for making me understand. I’ll confess to him today!” I say excitedly and she starts teasing me.

“Oh, so my innocent Aaradhya is going to propose to her man today! Should I buy you a condom?” she jokes and I hit her arm.

“Shameless creature!” I scold my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. She follows me laughing at her own antics.

“You should do something special for him. Don’t just propose with a rose okay? Make his night memorable” she says bumping her shoulder with mine. I hit her again laughing along.

I won’t just talk to him. I’ll surprise him tonight by proposing properly. I’ll decorate our entire room. What if he rejects me? I stop and shake my head quickly. No no think positive Aaradhya.

I smile mischievously my heart racing. Aarav ji be ready to be mine. And if you don’t love me yet I’ll make you fall for me, I think grinning.

Kia and I are about to exit the class when she bumps into someone and they both fall. I stifle my smile, watching the scene unfold.

“I’m sorry!” they both say at the same time quickly getting up and dusting their clothes. I can’t hold back my laughter, but I cover my mouth. Kia glares at me.

“It’s okay” they say together laughing. Actually Kia bumps into Riya.

“Can I ask you something?” Kia asks shyly and believe me this side of her is rare. She’s acting like she’s going to ask Riya out on a date.

“Why not?” Riya replies with a smile.

“What hair products do you use? Your hair is so soft” Kia asks making the two of us burst into laughter.

“I thought you were going to ask Riya out on a date!” I say laughing and Riya high-fives me.

“I was thinking the same bhabhi” Riya says lost in the flow but immediately shut her mouth.

“Bhabhi?” Kia asks narrowing her eyes.

“What bhabhi?” Riya asks,trying to act innocent as if she didn’t just call me that.

“You just called Aaradhya bhabhi didn’t you?” Kia presses.

“No I didn’t say bhabhi. I said bahen right?” Riya says and looks at me for support.

“Yes, she called me bahen” I quickly join in nodding.

“Oh… okay” Kia says still unsure.

“I’ll give you the details of my hair products. And… can we be friends?” Riya asks her smile genuine.

“Why not? It will be a pleasure to be friends with a Yaduvanshi” Kia says shaking hands with her. I control my smile, watching their growing bond.

“Let’s go now” I say pulling Kia along before she starts talking about her entire family.

“All the best for tonight” Kia says as she drives away in her car. I wave at her smiling.

I spot my car and walk toward it but I bump into a man just outside the college.

“Sorry” I mumble quickly and continue walking to my car.

Arjun bhaiya opens the car door for me, and we drive back to the mansion.

Aarav's POV

I step out of the meeting room and walk into my cabin. Jaye is sitting there waiting for me. I loosen my tie and sit beside him on the couch. Closing my eyes, her face immediately flashes in my mind.

"What’s happening between you two?" Jaye asks, his face serious.

I sigh deeply. "I made a mistake" I admit.

He scoffs. "Why don’t you propose to her?"

I look at him unsure. "What if she rejects me?" I ask hesitantly.

Jaye glares at me. "You both love each other Aarav. Everyone around you knows this. She even said she’s ready to give this marriage a chance. What does that mean, huh?"

I stare at him, hope flickering in my heart. "It means she loves me back" I whisper as if saying it aloud will make it more real.

"Exactly!" Jaye says patting my shoulder. "Propose to her before it’s too late."

He gives me a few more words of advice before leaving. Determined, I nod to myself.

Today I’ll propose to Aaradhya. I’ll apologize for my mistakes and if she rejects me, I’ll keep trying. She will be mine. Aaradhya will be mine.

I feel a mix of emotions hope, fear, excitement. My mind is racing. What if she rejects me? No, think positive, Aarav. Think positive. I pick up my phone and make a call.

"Hello, yes, prepare…......" I order my men my voice firm. I get up and leave my cabin, heading straight to my car.

Aaradhya should be home by now.

As I drive towards the mansion guards following behind my heart feels lighter. I never thought I’d fall in love and with my replaced bride, no less. Destiny works in mysterious ways. Thank you God for giving me Aaradhya.

I smile uncontrollably the thought of her making my heart race. "Aarav Yaduvanshi is going to propose to his wife," I mutter to myself feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

My phone buzzes breaking my thoughts. It’s Aaradhya’s number. My heart skips a beat. Why is my heartbeat so fast? Calm down, Aarav. Pick up the call.

I answer but instead of her a man’s voice greets me.

"Hello" the man says.

I frown. "Who are you? And why do you have my wife’s phone?" I ask coldly my voice sharp.

"Sir your wife has met with a horrible accident" the man says calmly. "Her phone was here so I called to inform you. Please come to the new highway."

The line goes dead and I freeze. My mind refuses to process his words. This is a dream. It’s not real. Aaradhya is fine. She’s fine.

But the voice echoes in my head. My phone slips from my hand, falling to the car floor. My breathing becomes ragged.

It’s a dream. It has to be a dream.

But it isn’t.

I slam my foot on the accelerator, turning the car towards the highway. My vision blurs. My chest tightens. I can’t breathe properly.

She’s fine. She’s fine. She’s fine.

I repeat the words over and over trying to calm myself but they don’t work. My throat feels dry, my heartbeat is erratic. I don’t stop at signals, crashing into trucks and narrowly avoiding others.

The road feels endless. Time slows. Every second feels like a lifetime. I press the accelerator harder desperate to reach her.

After some time I reach the location and jump out of my car, running towards the wrecked vehicle.

My heart pounds as I see the car completely destroyed, crumpled in the worst way possible. Police officers are standing nearby, but there’s no sign of Aaradhya.

“AARADHYA! AARADHYA! ARE YOU FINE? I’M HERE!” I shout desperately my voice cracking. I rush to the car and try to open the door but it doesn’t budge.

“Sir both persons are dead.....” a police officer starts to speak, but I glare at him so fiercely he steps back immediately.

My vision blurs with tears as I look inside the car. I can see a body but it’s too blurry to make out clearly. My chest tightens and my breathing becomes heavier.

I punch the glass with all my strength trying to break it. My hands hurt but I don’t stop. My tears are unstoppable streaming down my face.

“I’ll die without you. Please don’t leave me” I whisper my voice shaking. I raise my hand to punch the glass again but stop when I hear it.

“Aarav ji…”

I freeze. My whole body shakes. I know that voice. I turn around slowly not believing my ears.

And there she is. Aaradhya. Standing right in front of me, completely safe, her face filled with worry.

I stare at her unable to breathe properly. My legs feel weak. I take a shaky step towards her, my voice trembling. “A…are y…you… A…Aaradhya? I…I…”

Before I can finish, my knees give way and I fall to the ground crying uncontrollably. All the emotions I held in come crashing down.

She quickly kneels in front of me and pulls me into a hug. Her arms wrap tightly around me.

“What happened? Please stop crying” she says her voice soft and soothing.

Without thinking I hug her back clinging to her as if my life depends on it. My sobs grow louder as I hold her close.

“My Aaradhya is fine. She’s fine. She’s with me. She’s safe,” I keep repeating in my mind trying to calm myself.

“I… I thought I lost you” I manage to say between sobs, holding her even tighter.

“I’m here with you. Please stop crying. It hurts to see you like this” she says stroking my head gently. Her voice cracks and I know she’s holding back her own tears.

“Please don’t leave me. I love you. I can’t imagine my life without you. Please stay with me. I beg you. Please don’t ever leave me. I love you” I say in one breath pouring my heart out.

I pull back slightly and cup her face in my trembling hands. I need to feel her to make sure she’s real. Her warm skin against mine calms me a little.

“You… love me?” she asks her eyes wide with shock.

I nod, my tears still flowing. “I love you more than my life” I say softly looking straight into her eyes.

She wipes my tears with her hands but they keep falling no matter what.

“Let’s go from here” she says gently and I nod trying to control my emotions.

Once we settle inside the car she hands me a bottle of water. I take a sip, my hands shaking. Arjun stands outside watching us probably trying to understand what just happened.

This is the most vulnerable I’ve ever felt in my entire life. Even I’m shocked at how broken I am right now. But she’s here. Aaradhya is here. Safe. And that’s all that matters.

My head is pounding like hell but I don’t let go of her hand for even a second. It feels like if I let go, I’ll lose her again.

“Ma’am where’s your phone?” Arjun asks her. She looks through her bag searching but doesn’t find it.

“I put it here only” she says her voice confused as she checks again.

“Is this your phone?” Arjun asks holding up her phone.

She nods quickly taking it from him. “It’s mine” she says.

“Actually the people in that car were robbers” Arjun explains. “They had stolen your phone. When their car crashed your phone was inside and a man called sir, thinking you were in the car.”

That’s it. That was the whole situation. She was safe all this time. Relief washes over me and I silently thank God again and again.

She turns around to face me, her soft smile melting all my fear and pain. Her hands reach for my face cupping it gently. Her touch is warm comforting. She leans closer and I freeze as her lips press softly against my forehead.

My breath catches. My heart feels at peace, as if everything is finally right in the world.

She pulls back and I immediately miss her warmth but her next words leave me stunned.

“I love you too, Aarav ji” she says her gaze dropping shyly to the ground.

My entire world stops for a moment. Did she just…?

“Y-you love me back?” I stammer barely believing my ears.

She nods her cheeks pink as she looks at me again. “Yes Aarav ji. I love you as well.”

I can’t hold back anymore. I pull her into my arms hugging her tightly. I don’t need anything else in this moment. She loves me. She loves me. That’s all I need.

But then she breaks the hug gently and looks at me with a serious expression. Her next words shock me and.......

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ID:- ficuniverse_00

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